This week sees a very distinctive metal band debut on the Hot 100 with their signature hit. Twisted Sister arose from the ashes of Silver Star, a rock band intended to be the New Jersey alternative to the New York Dolls. Despite those glittery roots and the comically aggressive makeup they sported, the band rejected the Glam label and truly fit better in the rising 80s form of hair metal. They built a regular following over two albums, then broke big with their third, Stay Hungry.

The lead single — epitomizing their typical lyrical enthusiasm for independence and questioning of authority — was the anthemic We’re Not Going to Take It. The song debuts this week at #80. Two months later it peaked for two weeks at #21, a surprisingly low peak for a song heavily identified with the popular music of the mid-80s.

The cartoon violence and anti-establishment message of the song found the band targeted by Tipper Gore and the Parents’ Music Resource Center. Lead vocalist Dee Snider surprised everyone with his Senate hearing testimony, providing a strong defense of artistic freedom and a rejection of Gore’s efforts at censorship.

After some reasonable success on the rock and album charts and strong tours, Snider left the band in 1987. Since 1997, the group have occasionally reformed to release new tracks and tour on the 80s nostalgia circuit.